Isaac Brock
Active Member
- Sep 28, 2003
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gop_jeff said:Isaac, I'll have to admit ignorance on a couple of these. Specifically, what Arctic claims is the US not recognizing? And what are the problems between the US and Canada regarding immigration, other than our borders being too open?
And, just so you know, we never started drilling in ANWR.
All things said, though, the US has no more natural ally than Canada. I hope our two countries always look for ways to help each other.
First jeff, I agree wholeheartedly that Canada should always be and ally and friend of the Unites States. Disagreements will always happen between friends.
The United States does not recognize the martime exclusion zone in between Canadian arctic islands in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Essentially United States has maintained the right to free travel in those areas should it wish, which includes travel for both commercial and military activity. Interestingly enough, Canada has little problem with military activity. CF Navy just wants the US to ask permission and give a route plan, something which it hasn't (though the might change very soon.) The real bone of contention become commercial shipping. With the warming of the seas and receeding ice extents, the Northwest Passage will soon be navagable. Canada does not want this passage to be used for shipping for environmental and cultural reasons (the path goes throught the Inuit self-governing territory).
The main problem with immigration is the the US is proposing only allowing one port of entry between both countries for immigrants. The means if the US denies citizenship/refugee status, it will not allow travel to Canada for a second claim. This is not implemented yet, but is strongly recommended by Ambassador Celluci. The other matter refers to customs deporting Canadian citizens to countries other than Canada. This has now happened three times and no apology, nor policy change has been implemented. The US wants these intitutions to be more integrate and Canada is resisting and in my opinion, for good reason.
Lastly, I understand that ANWAR has not begun yet, but correct me if i'm wrong, but a bill has been passed that will allow the possibility for the drilling to occur. The main reason Canada does not wanting it to happen is because it is very likely that it will impact Caribou migration that is an active source of food and lifestyle for northerner citizens in the Yukon.